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With a nod from the others, Grimbeorn slowly lifted the wooden trapdoor. The smell of earth and stale air pushed up into his face, along with the smell of orc. They had been here a while.

Holding the door open for his companions, Arbogast stepped onto the ladder first and quickly descended. The Fire-watcher thinking he would go down into utter darkness was pleasantly surprised at the soft glow of light. His foot stepped down onto the rough stone of a cellar floor. It was apparent that this had once been the cellar for the old tower, but the goblins had hollowed out the wall which expanded into an unseen warren.

Arbogast quietly waited as the others followed him down. He looked down the passage to where two voices could still be heard muttering to each other. The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, along with the other scents.

:ooc: I will require Stealth rolls from each PC, which the lowest will set the TN for any potential enemy Awareness checks...

TN by PC skill info

Abogast winces at the heavy footsteps of the two Beornings, and then marvels as Laeral's descent of the narrow ladder occasions not a single sound from the metal rings of her mail.  Shaking his head to clear it once again of the bewitchment of Elves, he nods to the Fellowship and proceeds as quietly as he can down the passage. 


:ooc: Doug, do you want more Stealth rolls, or has the damage already been done? 

Aly, Laeral's successful roll (successful in that you/she/Doug rolled more than 14, which is the target number unless otherwise specified) has earned her an Advancement Point.  If you have a look at your character sheet, you'll see that each row of Common skills has the group name next to it ('Personality', 'Movement', 'Perception' etc.) and three spaces.  The spaces record your Advancement Points, which you use to improve your Common skills.  For your first successful roll in each group, you get to record a point - so Laeral gets one in 'Movement' for a successful Stealth roll. 

The rule we've been playing with is that a Great success (i.e. a successful roll including at least one '6') earns you a second AP (unless it's your first successful roll, as in this case - natch), and an Exceptional success (with two or more 6-es) gets you a third one.  There may be a possibility of earning your second and third APs with a normal success if Doug considers it to have advanced the story or to demonstrate something about your character - I recommend pestering him a little to see.

:ooc: Hey Paul, those rolls will set the current TN for the orcs. I will base the need to test for the Orcs Awareness based on all of your narrative.

---

Arbogast followed down the tunnel. It was draped in shadows, but the passage slowly brightened from a light source around a bend. The man could hear the orcs grumbling at one another.

At the end of the corridor, Arbogast leaned out enough to see a larger chamber that was filled with crates, boxes, and other items. A small fire burned in the center of the room - an oily black smoke rising to cracks in the ceiling. Standing near - at guard - were a large orc and a diminutive goblin.

The Fire-watcher looks back at his companions and raises two fingers.  Then he motions for them to come closer, his demeanour clearly speaking of his intention to swiftly defeat the two sentries. 


:ooc: It looks as if the ambush gods have smiled upon us, and we might have the advantage of surprise.  If so, we can probably take these guys out quickly enough that they won't have an opportunity to raise the alarm if there are more of them further down the way. 

Shall we say Team Carrock takes the big one, and Team Other goes for the smaller?

Grimbeorn nods in the direction of the larger one and acknowledges. He turns to Hathcyn and motions for him to follow at his flank.  He was more than ready to end this annoyance.

:ooc: Alright, let's do it!

Laeral takes her eyes off her prey just long enough to gauge the nerve of the human then follows swiftly but silently in his wake.

:ooc: I am doing something new with this particular scene. Normally, I would end the narrative thread and we would go into combat round threads. Because the Goblin Hole will be our current location for a bit, I want you guys to continue with any dialogue and narrative in this thread between combat actions.

I will post in this thread when to go to a combat thread. I hope this makes sense, but we'll see if I got my point across as we progress.  ;)

---

The companions sprang out of the shadows into the cluttered chamber, catching the two orcs that stood there by surprise. Arbogast's fears of the Beornings' having given their position away were quickly allayed.

Axe and spear drove into the two spawn, their mouths still agape and unable to relay any other warning.

Go to this combat round thread (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1639.new#new)

The fight is over before it even truly begins.  As Laeral and Hathcyn's spears ease the two dead orcs to the ground, Arbogast wipes the blade of his axe and listens for any sound of more inhabitants further into the tunnels. 


:ooc: Usual deal - I'm rolling Awareness to see what (if anything) he picks up.  Anyone else is welcome to try as well - Arbogast's ears are nothing special. 

:ooc: I will get the game updated tomorrow.

Grimbeorn ascertained the fact that each of the orcs were dead. They had not had a chance to cry a warning, so sudden was the Company's attack. They stank and their weapons and armor were crude, and so the Beorning moved on not wanting to spend anymore time with the filth.

The chamber was large and it was lit by a small cook-fire, the smoke rising up to the ceiling and clinging there like a blanket. Arbogast could see where the orcs had bored holes through the earthen roof to allow it to be drawn out. He shook his head at the crude engineering, but it could not be said that the yrchs were ignorant in such things. Even if someone stepped in one above, it would be seen as a simple badger or rabbit burrow.

Laeral looked about the chamber with great interest. Around them were stacks of crates and wooden boxes, along with other manufactured things. There were bottles of wine, jars of honey, crates that probably once contained chickens or other birds. There was spoiled fruit and vegetables, along with a smelly area that had most assuredly been a box of eggs - now broken, rotten and dried. It was a treasure room of sorts - stuff that had been robbed from the many wagons that came north to Laketown, or from there to any compass point. The goblin's had been successful indeed with their raiding parties.

Hathcyn moved cautiously to where a passage exited the room at the far end. It went into shadows, but a hint of light could be seen further down. The sound of other voices could be heard, too.

Grimbeorn moved to join Hathcyn further down the hallway and heard the voices down the way.  He quietly calls attention of the other two to the presence of the new voices.  Not moving any closer lest he draw more attention to their presence, Grimbeorn strains to hear what is bring said.

 :ooc:
 :00:

Laeral ceases her inventory of the goods. Swiftly but silently she joins the two men in the hallway and begins to listen... 

The smell of spoiled food reaches Arbogast's nostrils even over that of spilled blood, and he stands still, regarding the broken boxes and smashed jars.  They in Lake-Town barely even notice this loss, he thinks.  Despite all that the orcs can steal, there is meat and ale aplenty there while at the Black Tarn my daughters grow thin each winter... 

He turns and follows his companions, but his jaw is locked tighter and a familiar bitterness has begun gnawing in the back of his mind.

:ooc: Just a note, Paul - the materials in this trove are not all directly from Laketown. Some of it might have been taken from Dale caravans, or some out of Dorwinion, or even stuff that might have transited the newly opened Dwarf Road.

I am also playing it that the people of Lake-town still rely on the safety of the water and venture only so far beyond that safety - kind of like under the previous ruler. The town is still trying to shake off that 'yoke' from their mindset... if that makes sense.

Save for the soft mumbles, Grimbeorn was not able to make out any content of what was being spoken. Still, the sounds he did hear revealed that the number of goblins in this warren was far more than the six they watched leave, and the two they had killed. It was apparent to the Beorning that this tunnel led back into a probable maze of said tunnels. He looked back over his shoulder to his companions to see them pressing behind his lead.

Suddenly a squeaky voice cut from the dim passage ahead, "Skorb! Why's don't you bring me some of those chicken eggs we have up there? Getting a little hungry and the chief won't let us off watch!"

:ooc: time for a new Stealth roll (companions) - Awareness roll (orcs)...

TN 14 opposed stealth by PC





Orcs...
TN 14 opposed awareness 2d

The voice suddenly changed, "Hey... what's going on up there? Sounds like a troop of Uruks comin' down the hall. Did the raiding party get back already?"

Grimbeorn knew it was he that had betrayed their position. Try as he might, the large Beorning could not move as quietly as his companions.

The air seemed to shift a bit and the Company knew that whomever's voice came down the passage was now approaching.

"What's did they find out there so soon?" said another voice that rang louder as it came closer.

A Goblin Hole - Round 1 (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1640.new#new)

Quote from: tomcat on Apr 29, 2020, 05:07 AM:ooc: Just a note, Paul - the materials in this trove are not all directly from Laketown. Some of it might have been taken from Dale caravans, or some out of Dorwinion, or even stuff that might have transited the newly opened Dwarf Road.

I am also playing it that the people of Lake-town still rely on the safety of the water and venture only so far beyond that safety - kind of like under the previous ruler. The town is still trying to shake off that 'yoke' from their mindset... if that makes sense.

:ooc: Sure - I was thinking the same things.  Arbogast has seen the difference between his experience and how the Men of the Lake live up close, now, and his Resentful trait is bubbling up again.  Is it rational?  Absolutely not.  But it's there. 

 :ooc: Doug, I'd like to back up a bit and see what I can learn using Orc Lore. I'd like to get an idea of orgin, tribes, structure etc.

Arbogast looked about and saw how easily the store room could be converted into a defensive position, but even as he made his mental preparations, Grimbeorn charged forth and swung his axe.

The sound of two thumps were heard, like bags of flour hitting the ground, as the bodies fell headless. Grimbeorn gave a grunt and looked back to his companions with a content grin.

-ooc- was Laeral able to hear anything?

:ooc: While we wait for an answer, I'll keep the story ticking forward.

Arbogast looks to Laeral.  "Lady, you are fleet of foot in the manner of your folk.  Will you go ahead and see what may be seen without revealing yourself?"

He then turns to the two Beornings. "We should build a barricade.  Should we find ourselves hard pressed as we have been before, we shall retreat here."

Happy to oblige the human, Laeral begins to slink quietly along the wall.

:ooc: Hey Aly, to answer your question above - your narrative said that Laeral was listening down the corridor to hear what she could. If you give me any narrative action, follow it up with a test roll of the appropriate skill - or let me know you are using a specialty to gain the auto-success of TN 14. In this case, she would need to give me an Awareness test. With your most current post, I would also need a Stealth check - or you can tie the stealthy movement to your Burglary specialty... but then use that in your narrative, too.

I hope that makes sense. I will roll both tests, just in case...

TN 14 awareness 3d


TN 14 stealth 3d

Grimbeorn and Hathcyn grabbed the ruined bodies of the two dead orcs and drew them back into the storage chamber, while Arbogast looked to see the best way to make the room defensible. With the men busy, Laeral moved quietly forward - her soft-skinned boots moving soundlessly with each step.

She followed the corridor into the shadows, her shape disappearing into each pocket of darkness, until she came to a junction. To her left came soft echoing sounds of a large group all talking among themselves in what had to be a spacious chamber. Down the right corridor could be plainly seen a forge sitting idle. Its furnace flew rising up into the earthen ceiling to be creatively and secretively disbursed somewhere outside.

The goblin's were very industrious and had delved an obviously large home.

Ooc: doug did you see my trait call out above? Using orc lore to get a sense of size, place, SOP, etc.

:ooc: I did see it, Tom, and like Aly's posts - I keep forgetting to give you guys results.

Sorry for the scattered brain! I have been in overdrive prepping for the annual gaming gathering with my buddies and was working on 4 one-shots to play over the four day weekend. But we just canceled due to this crap, and so hopefully my brain will get a chance to clear.

Anyway, I will get a post up as to Hathcyn's results.

Hathcyn looked at the four dead orcs. Three were smaller - and more commonly called goblins - but the fourth had been large and cruel. It reminded him of those that they had faced along the banks of the Anduin a few months past, when they had chased them from the playing fields.

Though loathsome, the yrkks could never not be called industrious. The chambers and tunnels were cut and reinforced with wood from the forest. The workmanship was crude, but it was sturdy. That made this warren a permanent place - home to the smaller tribe that was present. Hathcyn knew these foul-folk took a chieftain as their leader for the local tribe, but they would answer the call of those greater than themselves. Hence, the Uruks had come and taken shelter.

The tribal markings on the goblins reminded Hathcyn of those they had run off many times while working on the Dwarven road. These forest goblins were plenty around the region of the Mirkwood mountains. This place made it evident that a group broke from the primary tribe and came here to settle near the lands of Men... apparently to steal what they could.

With what he saw, the Beorning knew that this would not be a small warren - and that it might even connect to those further away via underground passages.

:ooc: Okay, that changes things up a little - I hadn't counted on the prospect of reinforcements.  Still, I say we press on and do what we can.  If we're quick and thorough enough, they might not get the word out and this can be a goblin tribe that just mysteriously vanished.

Aly, does Laeral want to press on solo or come back and recount what she knows to the group?

-ooc- All good Tomcat. I'm still learning how to play. It may be a little rough for a bit. Sorry guys!

"If there are too many found here, we may need to retreat and return with reinforcements," mused Grimbeorn quietly. "We keep finding more surprises around every corner."

"there will be a point when we wont encounter them only a couple at a time. And there will be no safety for us in flight if the stars still shine when we exit the ruin. We should be very careful on how hard we kick this nest."

"Nonetheless, having come this far we must see what else awaits us."  Arbogast gestures toward the body of the dead Uruk.  "If such creatures are joining the slighter goblins of the wood, there will be some method behind it." 

:ooc: I will hold off advancing the story until I hear from Aly regarding Laeral's movement down the tunnel, deeper into the warren. I need her to give me what the Elf is doing and how far she will explore before I can present new details.

:ooc: I'll follow her up, but I know she's getting ready to move house this weekend so it probably isn't her top priority.

Laeral returns to the group - There are several bands of goblins within this warren.

:ooc: Okay, let's get down to brass tacks here - assuming we don't want to run away with our tail between our collective legs, we have a choice between going right (into a quiet forge) or left (into a large room and a likely target-rich environment).  My personal vote is to check the forge out first, if only to make sure we aren't leaving enemies at our backs. 

Anyone else got an opinion?

-ooc- I'm good with not being attacked from multiple sides

 :ooc:
You all can check out that side while I cover the intersection.

Arbogast looks over his improvised barricade.  He is no craftsman, but he believes it sturdy enough to provide some protection if they can keep the press of orcish numbers from toppling it.

His work done, he considers what Laeral has told of the next passages.  With a nod to Grimbeorn as the great Man moves to guard the intersection, he goes in the direction of the forge. 

Hathcyn searches among the stores for any oil or flammable liquids. Oh, and human wine.

Laeral silently follows behind Arbogast to provide cover.

As Hathcyn lifted crates in search for the items he needed, Grimbeorn led down the passage to where the intersection saw it split, going to the left and right. With a nod, the Beorning signaled the Fire-watcher and their new Elf ally to follow the right passage, as he watched.

The forge was silent and only the coal embers provided any light. There were tools there, too, which were of orcish make - but also those of Men. Surely these were more spoils of the raiding parties. Laeral saw that the goblin-smith had finished a large batch of arrowheads that needed only to be attached to shaft and feathered. Cruel barbs, they were, with wicked edging that would pierce deep. Arbogast saw a batch of unfinished blades - their tangs yet to be cross-guarded and wrapped, though orcs oft times did not labor much on guards.

There was a large box of charcoal with a spade, a workbench with tools, and a shelf that contained small cups filled with different minerals of various metallurgic use. The room was also filled with multiple picks, axes, and shovels.

After reviewing all the content, Laeral went south to where a passage led into darkness. Arbogast moved to the other passage where bright light flickered. A series of small stairs led down to a large chamber and many voices could be heard.

"You come here with news, you say?" came a gruff voice.

Another voice, "We have marched long from the south of Mirkwood by order of the Master of Dol Guldur. He has sent us to give word of the Great Eye and the return of the Dark Lord to his throne in Mordor. All must rally to his banner."

"Must I?" inquired the first voice.

"Your warren of goblins might be unrevealed to our enemies - east, north, and west - but your labors are always for Him. Never can we ignore the Master when he calls." The reply came with an edge of anger. It was becoming apparent to Arbogast that the deeper voiced Uruks were here to demand tribute to their master in the south.

But whom? The threat that they saw in Dol Guldur? Or was this new threat to the west, on the Dwimmerhorn - this Gibbet King? Or perhaps worse - the rumors of Mordor rising?

"Our master will come next, or certainly another of his kind, and then will you be made to kneel once more before the powers. Otherwise, this cozy warren that you pride yourself on will be wiped clean of all of you." The deeper voice was becoming more agitated. "The dragon is dead. Men, Elves, and Dwarves now grow in strength in the North. The Master does not wish to see such a union of folk and ever shall we worm into their councils to spread fear, disunity, and isolation.

"So, while your little raids are important in keeping these men of the lake on the water, it is time that you become more ruthless. You will aid the Master of Dol Guldur by housing his servants, along with us Uruks. From these holes we will sow the seeds of distrust."

"And should I have my folk become more ruthless by killing these men, surely they will seek us out! No longer will we be just a nuisance, but now a real threat."

The Uruk voice responded coldly, "Then be the threat. Let them raid this hole. We shall dig more and undermine their world!"

A sudden gleeful cry went up from the many goblins that were present in the chamber - the aura of strength had left their chieftain and was now surely in the hands of the greater orc.

Back in the first chamber, Hathcyn pulled at a crate to free it from the stack - inside were four bottles of Rhovanion red wine.

---

:ooc: I will be making a purely random event here by rolling a d12. A result of 4-10, or a :g: rune will mean the crate is freed from the stack. A roll of an :~~: -or- a 1-3 will cause the stack to collapse creating a great noise.

Hathcyn sucked air through his teeth as he pulled the crate from the stack. He watched nervously as the other crates behind it slowly rocked back and forth, only to settle. Inside the crate he held, the wine bottles tinkled together.

While the raucous noise from below continues, Arbogast leans against the passage wall and considers this new development.  An ill wind it is, he thinks, that blows in such harbingers of the Enemy.  But what an opportunity this presents, not only to end the threat of the goblins here in this warren but to sow confusion and mistrust between the servants of the Eye... 

It is this thought that spurs him to action.  Crossing to where Laeral waits at the mouth of the dark passage, he whispers "their leaders await below.  If we are swift, we may slay them all at once.  Gather the others." 

Once the companions have gathered, Arbogast quickly explains what he has found.  "If we strike now," he says, "we may with one stroke lay low their leaders.  There seems to be little fellow-feeling between the goblins of the forest and the orcs from the south, and I believe the kin of each would believe the other to be responsible." 

He looks to the two Beornings and the Elf, still an unknown quantity in his eyes.  "The Shadow works not only by blades and fury but by sowing dissent between the Free Peoples.  Let us take an opportunity to use its own methods against it." 

Grimbeorn required no convincing, just direction.  "No need for debate on this. Point me in their direction and it will be done." His axe felt light once again, almost eager to spill the foul ichor of the denizens of The Enemy.

Laeral signals her agreement with a single nod of her head and readies herself for action.

The eyes of the Fire-watcher shine, stern beneath his helm.  "Then let us to our work." 


:ooc: Doug, unless anyone says otherwise I think we're going to rush down the stairs and start stabbing anything that looks orcish. 

:ooc: Glad to see that Brandon got the site back up!

I will have a post up tonight, or tomorrow morning.

Hathcyn remembered their bold dash at the steading too, but he said nothing and wrapping his wine bottles prepared for the attack.

The companions gathered in the silent forge and gathered their arms. The goblin warren would be cleansed - or at least emptied by driving them away.

With all prepared, they charged down the passage and crude stairs until they entered the large, lit chamber below. There was a large feast table in its center and at the head, in a large chair, sat an ugly goblin. It was evident from his apparent size and strength that he was chieftain of all the others, though still he did not compare to the much larger Uruk.

Around the table, as well as sitting on the floor, was a great number of other goblins listening intently to the talk between their chief and the visiting orcs.

Grimbeorn's war cry brought a sudden shock to them all, as the companions raced forward attacking as they did. The goblins, caught completely unawares, were weaponless and startled - pausing in wonder as to who these attackers were.

---

Goblin Feast Hall - Surprise Round (https://rpg.avioc.org/boards/index.php?topic=1642.new#new)